Shortage of primary school teachers rises again
In the first nine months of this year, an average of 40 vacancies were open per 100 primary schools.
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The number of unfilled vacancies for primary school teachers rose by almost 20 per cent in a year. That is according to an analysis of vacancy data for the first nine months of 2026, while the total number of vacancies in the labour market fell.
Nationale Vacaturebank bases the figures on data from Jobdigger and information from DUO. There were an average of 40 vacancies for teachers per 100 primary schools. The figures measure the average number of vacancies between January and September and are not a complete count of all unfilled lessons or hidden shortages.
The differences between provinces are considerable. In Noord-Holland, the equivalent of 65 vacancies per 100 primary schools was recorded. In Drenthe, there were 11. According to Nationale Vacaturebank, shortages are particularly greater in the Randstad than in surrounding regions.
The increase in vacancies runs counter to broader labour-market trends. According to the same analysis, the total number of unfilled vacancies fell by almost 19 per cent compared with a year earlier. Demand for primary school teachers is therefore developing differently from demand for many other occupations.
Higher salaries have not reversed the trend. According to the calculation, the starting salary for a teacher is almost €4,300 gross per month for a full-time job. The maximum salary is €8,750. Four years ago, those amounts were lower, according to the government data used.
The figures do not independently explain why vacancies are difficult to fill. The Arbeidsmarktplatform Primair Onderwijs cites regional differences, the size of special education and the complexity of schools with many pupils facing educational disadvantage as possible factors. These are explanations from earlier research, not conclusions that follow solely from the new vacancy count.
The government and education organisations are also encouraging career-switcher recruitment and training pathways. These require suitability assessments, training and support. The new figures show that the number of unfilled vacancies has risen despite higher salaries and that there are regional differences. They do not show that every school faces the same staffing problems or that every vacancy remains unfilled for a long time.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- In the first nine months of 2026, an average of 40 vacancies for teachers per 100 primary schools were open, according to an analysis of Jobdigger and DUO.
- The number of vacancies for teachers rose by almost 20 per cent compared with the same period in 2025, according to that analysis.
- The results vary sharply by province.
- The PO-Raad and OCW are also collecting data on open and hidden staff shortages.
Left
Arguments A left-wing perspective will stress that the teacher shortage is not merely a matter of salary or individual choice. The government should invest in smaller classes, support, affordable housing and better guidance, particularly at schools with complex pupil populations. Career-switcher recruitment should also be made more accessible without relaxing quality requirements.
Values Equal educational opportunities, public services and solidarity between regions and pupils.
Consequences Without additional public investment, differences between schools and neighbourhoods could grow. From this perspective, higher spending is justified because staff shortages affect the quality and accessibility of education.
Centre
Arguments A centrist institutional perspective emphasises a combination of salary, training, regional planning and reliable measurement. Not every vacancy requires the same solution. School boards, municipalities and the ministry should share data and assess measures before introducing national policy.
Values Practicality, educational quality, evidence and administrative cooperation.
Consequences A targeted approach can direct resources where shortages are greatest, but it takes time. Rapid national measures without regional analysis may be ineffective or create new disparities.
Right
Arguments A right-wing perspective is more likely to point to the need for less bureaucracy, greater freedom for school boards and a more attractive profession without additional rules. Career-switcher recruitment and alternative routes into teaching should be made quicker, provided teachers’ basic skills are safeguarded. The government could also critically examine the extent of non-teaching duties.
Values Responsibility, freedom of choice, efficiency and room for professionals.
Consequences Fewer rules and greater flexibility could help fill vacancies more quickly. The risk is that differences in quality and employment conditions between schools will grow if central safeguards are weakened too far.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The vacancy figures, salary amounts and regional differences were checked against Nationale Vacaturebank’s publication. The text clearly distinguishes between vacancy data and official measurements of the broader staff shortage.
- confirmed There were an average of 40 vacancies for teachers per 100 primary schools. — Analysis by Nationale Vacaturebank based on Jobdigger and DUO. source
- confirmed The number of vacancies for teachers rose by almost 20 per cent compared with 2025. — Nationale Vacaturebank analysis covering January to September 2026. source
- confirmed There were 65 vacancies per 100 primary schools in Noord-Holland and 11 in Drenthe. — Regional breakdown in the source publication. source
- confirmed The PO-Raad is working with OCW on a broader measurement of staff shortages. — PO-Raad publication on the national survey. source
Editor's note
The new vacancy figures come from an analysis by Nationale Vacaturebank based on Jobdigger and DUO. The PO-Raad confirms that a broader national survey is under way, but its definitive results are not expected until later; the figures have therefore not been presented as an official national measure of the shortage.Sources
- Ondanks loonexplosie nog altijd fors tekort aan leerkrachten — Nationale Vacaturebank
- Doe weer mee aan meting actuele personeelstekorten — PO-Raad
- Kan ik als herintreder lesgeven in het basisonderwijs? — Rijksoverheid
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